When it’s OK for a motorcycle — or bicycle — to run a red light

The weather is obliging. And so David Allen, of Marysville, has taken his motorcycle to work in Everett. Earlier this summer, though, he found himself sitting at the light at Marine View Drive and Pacific Avenue — and waiting … and waiting…

“I have to wait for a car behind me to trigger the light so that I can turn,” Allen said at the time.

At one point, after sitting for over two minutes, he finally decided to just go. A speeding SUV didn’t like that, and made sure to let Allen know by tailgating him. It was a stressful commute, to say the least.

Everett Public Works crews checked it out, made an adjustment, and the detection loop meant to sense vehicles — including motorcycles — is working like normal again.

That said, it’s worth noting that Allen was in the right.

A 2014 law allows motorcycle drivers to go through an intersection on a red light — “after exercising due care” — if the traffic signal doesn’t detect their presence. Bicycles and mopeds were added to the OK list a year later.